From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Ruby \Ru"by\, n.; pl. {Rubies}. [F. rubis (cf. Pr. robi), LL.
rubinus, robinus, fr. L. rubeus red, reddish, akin to ruber.
See {Rouge}, {red}.]
1. (Min.) A precious stone of a carmine red color, sometimes
verging to violet, or intermediate between carmine and
hyacinth red. It is a red crystallized variety of
corundum.
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Note: Besides the true or Oriental ruby above defined, there
are the balas ruby, or ruby spinel, a red variety of
spinel, and the rock ruby, a red variety of garnet.
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Of rubies, sapphires, and pearles white.
--Chaucer.
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2. The color of a ruby; carmine red; a red tint.
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The natural ruby of your cheeks. --Shak.
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3. That which has the color of the ruby, as red wine. Hence,
a red blain or carbuncle.
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4. (Print.) See {Agate}, n., 2. [Eng.]
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5. (Zool.) Any species of South American humming birds of the
genus {Clytolaema}. The males have a ruby-colored throat
or breast.
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{Ruby of arsenic}, {Ruby of sulphur} (Chem.), a glassy
substance of a red color and a variable composition, but
always consisting chiefly of the disulphide of arsenic; --
called also {ruby sulphur}.
{Ruby of zinc} (Min.), zinc sulphide; the mineral zinc blende
or sphalerite.
{Ruby silver} (Min.), red silver. See under {Red}.
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